1. A Public Health Approach to Improving Parenting Practices: An Overview of Principles and Practicesfor Meeting Diverse Family Needs
Carol W. Metzler, Oregon Research Institute
carolm@ori.org
ORI Research To Practice Conference, December 2010

2. The need for effective parenting interventions
The importance of supporting parents in raising healthy and successful children
Prevalence of childrens behavior disorders: 18%
Dysfunctional parenting practices
& family relationships
Poor prognosis for long-
term trajectory, including
health outcomes as adults

3. Parenting affects many important developmental outcomes
Parental influence is pervasive
Language, communication
Sustained attention and problem solving
Social skills and peer relationships
Physical health and well being
Brain injury and adverse effects of exposure to violence
Emotion regulation
School achievement
Reduced social, emotional, behavioral, and health problems

4. Problem behaviors develop over time
By age 6: aggressive behavior, difficulty managing strong feelings, weak academic skills
Elementary school years: academic difficulties, poor bonding to school, rejection by peers
By early adolescence: drift toward other troubled peers, experimentation with problem behaviors
The earlier these problems begin, the more chronic and serious they become throughout adolescence

5. Problem behaviors are COSTLY

6. How can we reduce these problems and raise successful children and youth?

7. Promote positive parenting usingevidence-based prevention and treatment practices

8. Positive parenting involves

• A safe, engaging environment
• 9. A positive learning environment
• 10. Warm, nurturing interactions
• 11. Assertive discipline clear, fair, consistent, proactive
• 12. Realistic expectations
• 13. Parents self-care